Carleton University Lab

Report
Course#: PHYS-1007

Experiment#:4

Charles Maclean | Student ID: 101008920 |

Date Performed: November 2nd, 2015
Date Submitted: November 16th, 2015
Lab Period: L6
Partner: Suraj Dayal
Station #: 29
TA: Matt

Abstract
In this experiment we used an Atwoods machine in order to determine the local acceleration of
gravity as well as the frictional torque of the machine using two different masses. In order to do so
we add a different numbers of washers to m1 and m2 then measure the time (in seconds) of their
acceleration due to gravity, these measurements are then graphed and a linear relationship was
obtained. By adding the inertia of the pulley to the total mass on the machine we are able to
determine the local acceleration due to gravity which was 9.4 m/s 2 2.9 m/s2 which is a 4.6%
difference from the accepted value of 9.81m/s2. Using the calculated slope from Logger Pro we
are able to calculate the frictional torque on the apparatus which was 323 111 kg m 2 /s2.

Theory
(1)In order to find the average values out of the data collected we can use

Average =

(t 1+t 2+t 3+ t 4 tn)

n

(1)

Where t is equal to the trial number and n is equal to the total number of trials
(2)In order to determine the standard deviation we can use the inefficient statistics equation due
to our low number of trials.

is=

xmaxxmin
N

(2)

Where xmax is the highest value of data, xmin is the lowest value of data and N is the total
number of trials

(3) In order to calculate g we must define A

A= M+ I/r2
= M2 + /22 (3)
Where M is equal to the total mass on the machine, I/r2 is the inertia of the pulley for the
apparatus, M is the error on the mass and /2 is the error on the pulleys inertia.
(4) In order to define A we must find M
= 1 + 2 + 10
= 12 + 22 + 1002

(4)

Where m1 and m2 represent each mass, mw is the mass of the washer, 1 and 2 represent
the error on each mass and is the error on the washer.

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(5) We can then solve for g using this equation

= 2
= (2/ 2) + ( 2 / 2) + ( 2 /2) (5)
Where m is the calculated slope, h is the distance travelled, A is the previous calculated value,
is the error on the slope, h is the error in the distance travelled and A is the previously
calculated error on A.

(6) We can also determine the frictional torque of the apparatus using this equation
= 2
= ( 2 / 2) + ( 2/ 2) + ( 2 / 2) + ( 2 /2)

(6)

Where b is the y intercept taken from the graph, h is the distance traveled, r is the radius, A is the
previously calculated value, is the error on b, h is the error in the distance travelled, r is the
error on the radius, and A is the previously calculated error on A.

Apparatus Figure1: Apparatus for calculating the frictional torque and local acceleration due to gravity by
means of Atwood's Machine.

Timer

0:0
Guide

Microswitc
h
Vernier
Caliper

Computer

Remote
Electronic
Balance

M2

M1

Magnet

The electronic balance has a precision of .01

grams
The timer has a precision of .001 seconds
The Vernier Caliper has a range of 0-25cm and
a precision of .05mm

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Observations and Calculations

OBSERVATIONS

Readings

Weight with
the Iron Core
Plus
Screw(g)

Weight Plus
Screw(g)

Mass of One
Washer(g)

Distance
travelled
(cm)

Radius of
pulley(cm)

Trial # 1

254.92

255.12

1.00

102.5

6.3

Trial # 2

254.92

255.12

1.00

102.5

6.3

Trial # 3

254.92

255.12

1.00

102.5

6.3

Average

254.92

255.12

1.00

102.5

6.3

Reading Error

.005

.005

.005

.05

.001

mean

254.92.005

255.12.005

1.00.005

102.5.05

6.3

Final
Measurement
s

Table 1: Weight and length measurements of Atwood machine apparatus.

Graph# 1: Linear realtionship between the change in mass and the average time.

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CALCULATIONS

Average =

Average Radius :

Average =

( t 1+t 2+ t 3+t 4 tn )
n

(6.3+6.3+6.3)
3

Average= 6.3 cm

is=

Error on Radius:

is=

xmaxxmin
N

6.36.3
3

is=0
Total mass on apparatus: = 1 + 2 + 10
M=254.92+255.12+10(1)
M=520.04g
Error on total mass: = 12 + 22 + 1002

.0052+.005 2+100 (.0052)

=.05g
Defining A: A= M+ I/r2
A= 520.04 + 80
A= 600.04g
Error on A: = M2 + /22
=

.052+12

= 1g
Calculating gravity = 2
g =2(.007609) (102.5) (600.04)
g= 9.35 m/s2
Error on gravity = (2/ 2) + ( 2 / 2) + ( 2 /2)
=9.35

.0023712 .052
12
+
+
2
2
2
.007609 102.5 600.04
=2.9 m/s2

Calculating frictional torque: = 2

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=-2(-.004172) (102.5) (6.3) (600.04)

= 323.3 kg m2/s2
Error on frictional torque: = ( 2 / 2) + ( 2/ 2) + ( 2 / 2) + ( 2 /2)
= 323.3

.0016152 .052 .0012

12
+
+
+
.0047122 102.52 6.32 600.04 2
=110.8 kg m2/s2

Results
After all of the calculations the local acceleration due to gravity turned out to be 9.4 2.9 m/s2
which turned out to be a 4.1% difference from the accepted value. We were also able
to determine the frictional torque of the apparatus to be 323.3110.8 kg m2/s2.

Discussion
Before we had begun the experiment we knew that the accepted value for g would
be 9.81 through our experimental trials we are concluded that the acceleration due
to gravity was 9.4 2.9 m/s2 which is only 4.1% away from our accepted value. The
difference in experimental and accepted value could be due to experimental error
such as not including friction between the Atwood machine as well as partner 2s
reaction time. There are some other factors at play such as air resistance the weight
of the sting and its elasticity, however these are very minor. One way to improve the
experiment would be to allow the weights a longer fall time therefore decreasing
reaction time errors.

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